It is great that such a platform as this exists. It provides anyone with an Internet connection that is interested in reading about experiences inside a Federal Prison Camp to hear it directly from the source. I’m always flattered and honored when someone takes the time to read what I post and I hope you check out the other profiles that are listed.
Justice impacted people do not have (authorized) access to the Internet and use monitored emails that cost five cents a minute to write and respond. Being able to legally send a message and have it posted on a website by others at no cost is a gift I hope more incarcerated people would take advantage of. Building your story and controlling the narrative is refreshing. My bad decision does not define who I am. As the late great commentator Paul Harvey would say at the end of every show….”Now you have heard the rest of the story.” My time inside is short by comparison to many and for that I am grateful. I generally post the positive aspects of daily life, those I interact with, lessons I’m learning and those who not by choice but by grace, are exposed to people that are from different cultures and social backgrounds. Their is a level of tolerance and I have not witnessed any violent acts because in spite of our individual differences at the end of the day we are all in this together. Just about everyone I come into contact with be it in the chow hall, library, on the outdoor running track or on the campus is respectful and courteous. Some are actually friendly and still others will go out of their way to help you. Overlooking the vernacular, street level name calling and acting out one can see into the heart of the human condition. I have a motto (stolen from Michael Jordan) I don’t ever lose, I either win or learn. Getting myself to a prison camp is not a win so I am learning a lot. One of the most challenging things I wrestle with is how will I ever have the time to do things I do now on a daily basis once I leave here. Don’t get me wrong I’m very much looking forward to saying goodbye and never looking back. Walking a few miles a day, reading a new book every week, writing, planning, studying, playing pool, ping pong, chess, afternoon coffee with my peeps, interactions with people of different cultures and understanding them just to name ten. There is no need to pay for rent or food. I don’t need pocket money, have no need or desire to access the Internet, I’m not staring at my iPhone logging several hours of screen time each time day. Time is plentiful and yet my days are full of life’s lessons. Simple things like getting a pint of ice cream on commissary day have taken on a whole new meaning and appreciation. My daily life is simple now and when I leave that will change. The biggest task at hand is how to divide my time up once I’m finished with camp life. It will be whirlwind starting a new business and getting readjusted. My passion is creating short animated films (danacrypto.com) and I would really like to reboot my radio show. I need to establish a permanent residence and most likely will be building a house and living in a small off grid cabin with no indoor plumbing while this happens. Yes, in my mind I have moved on from here and already looking at the next chapter. I won’t let this temporary circumstance define me and treat this time as a hiccup in a well lived life. Being so far away from my community and family has at times been overwhelming. My son is making the 10 plus hour drive this weekend and it will be my first visit since self surrendering on April 5th. I was angry about being designated to this particular camp as there are others that are only a few hours away from Boston and knew that being here will all but eliminate regular visits from friends and family. I speak to both my children several times a week and in many ways they are the ones who are doing time.
